Decades ago in Afghanistan, women were beginning to gain more freedoms; however, after the Taliban took control women were stripped of their rights. Today, women are beginning to earn back their basic rights, but still struggle to reach full equality.
Life Before the Taliban Took Over
Monarch Amir Amanullah Khan drastically began modernize Afghanistan after gained control of their land from Britain and Russia beginning in 1919.
Khan wrote Afghanistan's first constitution...
Created equal rights between men and women, expanded education for women, and prohibited polygamy and bride price(woman's family gained money after marriage).
Drastic changes caused Tribal Leaders to over throw Khan.
Zahir Shah(1933-1973) was the next monarch of Afghanistan to enact changes for Afghan women.
Afghan King Zahir Shah and U.S. President John Kennedy
1940s and 1950s-Women were encouraged to become active in the economy to advance Afghanistan's development.
Women began working as nurses, teachers, and doctors.
November 8, 1959- end of the mandatory veilings for women
October 1, 1964- new constitution introduced a constitutional monarchy in Afghanistan and brought a "Wave of Freedom."
Constitution stated free elections, universal suffrage, freedom of speech, and women's right to enter politics.
By the 1970's women made up 60% of 10,000 students at Kabul University.
1960s to 1970s - Large increase of women in politics. Women held positions in parliament and the cabinet.
First women's political group, the Democratic Organization of Afghan Women was formed.
Women's political involvement was restricted to urban areas
10 to 15% of Afghan women held leadership positions
In 1973, while Zahir Shah was away in Italy, Daoud Khan took power through a coup. The shift in power was the beginning of instability of Afghanistan; yet, he still tried to instill rights for women.
1975 Khan issued a new constitution which would improve the rights of women
Beginning January 1, 1978 the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan assassinated Daoud Khan and took power.
PDPA required education for girls, raised the marrying age, and encouraged women to further their education and get jobs, especially in the government.
In 1979, Russians invaded Afghanistan; however, women's rights were protected and continued to advance.
In 1980, women's right to work and chose their profession was written in the Constitution of 1980
Key components in economy as teachers, farmers, doctors, engineers, and were equal partners in civil service as men.
During the Soviet Invasion
Girls were forced to attend school and learn Marxist ideals
Veiling was punishable
Laws for Women Quran
The religious document Muslims abide by
Shows respect to women
"You are forbidden to inherit women against their will. Nor should you treat them with harshness..." (Noble Quran 4:19)
"And for women are rights over men similar to those of men over women." (Noble Quran 2:228)
"Who so does that which is right, and believes, whether male or female, him or her will We quicken to happy life." (Noble Quran 16:97)
Sharia Law
Islamic or Muslim religious law that regulates an individual's personal and moral conduct
Criticism of of Sharia is considered heresy
A women's testimony is worth half that of a man's
Women who remarry lose custody of their children
Daughters inherit half of that which sons inherit
"Men can have up to four wives and can divorce at their option. If they do not divorce their first wife but just abandon her, she is obliged to carry on as a married woman"
Rights Before the Taliban
Women had the right to vote in the 1920's
Up until 1960's the Afghan constitution provided equality for women
Sharia Laws Under the Taliban
Female doctors and nurses are not permitted to enter the rooms where male patients are hospitalized.
Make up, nail polish, white socks, and noisy shoes were banned by Taliban
Forced to wear a burqa, a head to toe outer garment
Previously had the option to wear
Some women cannot afford a burqa
Stoning is the punishment for committing adultery
Windows of houses painted over to prevent outsiders from seeing women inside homes
Taliban vs. Afghans
"It's like having a flower, or a rose. You water it and keep it at home for yourself, to look at it and smell it. It [a woman] is not supposed to be taken out of the house to be smelled." - Syed Ghaisuddin, Taliban Minister of Education
"Because of the Taliban, Afghanistan has become a jail for women. We haven't got any human rights. We haven't the right to go outside, to go to work, to look after our children." - Faranos Nazir, 34 year-old woman living in Kabul
How the Laws Affected Women
Economic Effects
All women forced to quit jobs
Shortage of workers
Lack of money resulted in prostitution and women accepting abuse for money
Restricted economic growth that was needed
Beneficial skills not put to use
Instead of working women sewed, cooked, cleaned, taught children
Educational Effects
Almost all universities and schools banned women
Education banned for approximately 90% of girls in Afghanistan
Some private schools but only to girls under 8 and strictly taught Quran
Increased the amount of illiterate women and children
13% literacy rate in urban areas
4% literacy rate in rural areas
Many teachers were women
70% teachers
Schools lacked teachers, men forced to fill in positions
Family Life Effects
Lack of proper medical care
Caused second largest death rate of women during childbirth
Approximately 16 out of 100 women die during child birth
165 out of every 1,000 babies die before they turn one
70% of medical help was from international relief organizations
Denied Freedoms
Must be accompanied by male relative when outside of house
Unable to provide for themselves/family members
If no male companion women were beaten, stoned to death, executed, or raped
Life After the Taliban Took Over
- "Afghanistan under the Taliban had one of the worst human rights records in the world"
- Taliban gained control in 1996
- Immediate effects after the takeover:
Restrictive medicare
New dress codes required women to wear burqas, some which were so thick breathing was diffcult
Punishments for not wearing burqa: fines, threats, on-the-spot beatings
No cosmetics - if nail polish was worn, women risked getting fingers amputated
Forced unemployment led to limited income, women turned to prostitution and street-begging
Taliban arbitrated hatious crimes against women including rape, abduction, and forced marriage
Stripped women and girls of education, so they would have no knowledge of how to function throughout society
Restricted mobility permitted women to be in public only in the prescence of a male relative
Punishments included: stoning to death if found with a man other than her husband, 100 flogs in public, or trials which could lead to public amputations or executions
Windows - painted to hide women from outside
People throughout Afghanistan were permitted to celebrate festivities or use media
Many women fled Afghanistan and many committed suicide due to the vicious acts they were subject to each day
How are women coping in modern day Afghanistan?
Women have more access to employment, education, and better healthcare but still not 100%
High rates still exist through childbirth and infant mortality, poverty, homelessness, and domestic violence
Relief Organizations:
RAWA - Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan - aims to earn peace, freedom, democracy, and women's rights in Afghanistan since 1977; former leader Meena organized a group of young girls to strive up against discrimination and gained world attention towards violence on women in Afghanistan
Afghanistan Relief Organization , est. 1998 - provide direct relief to those in need throughout Afghanistan, including supplies such as food, medicine, hygiene supplies and school supplies
Afghan's Women Mission, Afghan's Women Council, Afghan's Women Network, Women's Alliance for Peace and Human Rights in Afghanistan - all focus on achieving peace and equality for the mistreated women in Afghanistan
Eye Witnesses to Women's Discrimination
“Women are imprisoned in their homes, and are denied access to basic health care and education. Food sent to help starving people is stolen by their leaders. The religious monuments of other faiths are destroyed. Children are forbidden to fly kites, or sing songs... A girl of seven is beaten for wearing white shoes.”President George Bush, 2001
"The Taliban has clamped down on knowledge and ignorance is ruling instead." Sariqa, 22 year old woman from Kabul
"The life of Afghan women is so bad. We are locked at home and cannot see the sun."-- Nageeba, a 35-year-old widow in Kabul
Pictured to the right: Aisha, an 18 year old girl from afghanistan who was being forced into marriage, but in attempt to flee from her in laws she was captured by the Taliban. As a result, her nose and ears were amputated from her face and head.
Human Rights Watch described the discrimination against Afghan women as "life threatening"
Women in Politics United States vs. Afghanistan as of 2012
Beginning with Zahir Shah's rule, Afghan women began to gradually gain rights in politics, education, employment, and socially until the Taliban Invasion.
The Taliban’s interpretation of Afghanistan’s laws and Quran, resulted in women being treated brutally and eliminated their rights.
In modern day Afghanistan. more women are beginning to campaign for equal rights and the burtal treatment of women has slightly decreased since when the Taliban was in control.
Thesis
Decades ago in Afghanistan, women were beginning to gain more freedoms; however, after the Taliban took control women were stripped of their rights. Today, women are beginning to earn back their basic rights, but still struggle to reach full equality.
Life Before the Taliban Took Over
Monarch Amir Amanullah Khan drastically began modernize Afghanistan after gained control of their land from Britain and Russia beginning in 1919.
Khan wrote Afghanistan's first constitution...
Created equal rights between men and women, expanded education for women, and prohibited polygamy and bride price(woman's family gained money after marriage).
Drastic changes caused Tribal Leaders to over throw Khan.
Zahir Shah(1933-1973) was the next monarch of Afghanistan to enact changes for Afghan women.
1940s and 1950s-Women were encouraged to become active in the economy to advance Afghanistan's development.
Women began working as nurses, teachers, and doctors.
November 8, 1959- end of the mandatory veilings for women
October 1, 1964- new constitution introduced a constitutional monarchy in Afghanistan and brought a "Wave of Freedom."
Constitution stated free elections, universal suffrage, freedom of speech, and women's right to enter politics.
By the 1970's women made up 60% of 10,000 students at Kabul University.
1960s to 1970s - Large increase of women in politics. Women held positions in parliament and the cabinet.
First women's political group, the Democratic Organization of Afghan Women was formed.
Women's political involvement was restricted to urban areas
10 to 15% of Afghan women held leadership positions
In 1973, while Zahir Shah was away in Italy, Daoud Khan took power through a coup. The shift in power was the beginning of instability of Afghanistan; yet, he still tried to instill rights for women.
1975 Khan issued a new constitution which would improve the rights of women
Beginning January 1, 1978 the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan assassinated Daoud Khan and took power.
PDPA required education for girls, raised the marrying age, and encouraged women to further their education and get jobs, especially in the government.
In 1979, Russians invaded Afghanistan; however, women's rights were protected and continued to advance.
In 1980, women's right to work and chose their profession was written in the Constitution of 1980
Key components in economy as teachers, farmers, doctors, engineers, and were equal partners in civil service as men.
During the Soviet Invasion
Girls were forced to attend school and learn Marxist ideals
Veiling was punishable
Laws for Women
Quran
The religious document Muslims abide by
Shows respect to women
"You are forbidden to inherit women against their will. Nor should you treat them with harshness..." (Noble Quran 4:19)
"And for women are rights over men similar to those of men over women." (Noble Quran 2:228)
"Who so does that which is right, and believes, whether male or female, him or her will We quicken to happy life." (Noble Quran 16:97)
Sharia Law
Islamic or Muslim religious law that regulates an individual's personal and moral conduct
Criticism of of Sharia is considered heresy
A women's testimony is worth half that of a man's
Women who remarry lose custody of their children
Daughters inherit half of that which sons inherit
"Men can have up to four wives and can divorce at their option. If they do not divorce their first wife but just abandon her, she is obliged to carry on as a married woman"
Rights Before the Taliban
Up until 1960's the Afghan constitution provided equality for women
Sharia Laws Under the Taliban
Female doctors and nurses are not permitted to enter the rooms where male patients are hospitalized.
Make up, nail polish, white socks, and noisy shoes were banned by Taliban
Forced to wear a burqa, a head to toe outer garment
Previously had the option to wear
Some women cannot afford a burqa
Stoning is the punishment for committing adultery
Windows of houses painted over to prevent outsiders from seeing women inside homes
Taliban vs. Afghans
"It's like having a flower, or a rose. You water it and keep it at home for yourself, to look at it and smell it. It [a woman] is not supposed to be taken out of the house to be smelled." - Syed Ghaisuddin, Taliban Minister of Education
"Because of the Taliban, Afghanistan has become a jail for women. We haven't got any human rights. We haven't the right to go outside, to go to work, to look after our children." - Faranos Nazir, 34 year-old woman living in Kabul
How the Laws Affected Women
Economic Effects
All women forced to quit jobs
Shortage of workers
Lack of money resulted in prostitution and women accepting abuse for money
Restricted economic growth that was needed
Beneficial skills not put to use
Instead of working women sewed, cooked, cleaned, taught children
Educational Effects
Almost all universities and schools banned women
Education banned for approximately 90% of girls in Afghanistan
Some private schools but only to girls under 8 and strictly taught Quran
Increased the amount of illiterate women and children
13% literacy rate in urban areas
4% literacy rate in rural areas
Many teachers were women
70% teachers
Schools lacked teachers, men forced to fill in positions
Family Life Effects
Lack of proper medical care
Caused second largest death rate of women during childbirth
Approximately 16 out of 100 women die during child birth
165 out of every 1,000 babies die before they turn one
70% of medical help was from international relief organizations
Denied Freedoms
Must be accompanied by male relative when outside of house
Unable to provide for themselves/family members
If no male companion women were beaten, stoned to death, executed, or raped
Life After the Taliban Took Over
- "Afghanistan under the Taliban had one of the worst human rights records in the world"
- Taliban gained control in 1996
- Immediate effects after the takeover:
Restrictive medicare
New dress codes required women to wear burqas, some which were so thick breathing was diffcult
Punishments for not wearing burqa: fines, threats, on-the-spot beatings
No cosmetics - if nail polish was worn, women risked getting fingers amputated
Forced unemployment led to limited income, women turned to prostitution and street-begging
Taliban arbitrated hatious crimes against women including rape, abduction, and forced marriage
Stripped women and girls of education, so they would have no knowledge of how to function throughout society
Restricted mobility permitted women to be in public only in the prescence of a male relative
Punishments included: stoning to death if found with a man other than her husband, 100 flogs in public, or trials which could lead to public amputations or executions
Windows - painted to hide women from outside
People throughout Afghanistan were permitted to celebrate festivities or use media
Many women fled Afghanistan and many committed suicide due to the vicious acts they were subject to each day
How are women coping in modern day Afghanistan?
Women have more access to employment, education, and better healthcare but still not 100%
High rates still exist through childbirth and infant mortality, poverty, homelessness, and domestic violence
Relief Organizations:
RAWA - Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan - aims to earn peace, freedom, democracy, and women's rights in Afghanistan since 1977; former leader Meena organized a group of young girls to strive up against discrimination and gained world attention towards violence on women in Afghanistan
Afghanistan Relief Organization , est. 1998 - provide direct relief to those in need throughout Afghanistan, including supplies such as food, medicine, hygiene supplies and school supplies
Afghan's Women Mission, Afghan's Women Council, Afghan's Women Network, Women's Alliance for Peace and Human Rights in Afghanistan - all focus on achieving peace and equality for the mistreated women in Afghanistan
Eye Witnesses to Women's Discrimination
“Women are imprisoned in their homes, and are denied access to basic health care and education. Food sent to help starving people is stolen by their leaders. The religious monuments of other faiths are destroyed. Children are forbidden to fly kites, or s
ing songs... A girl of seven is beaten for wearing white shoes.”President George Bush, 2001
"The Taliban has clamped down on knowledge and ignorance is ruling instead." Sariqa, 22 year old woman from Kabul
"The life of Afghan women is so bad. We are locked at home and cannot see the sun."-- Nageeba, a 35-year-old widow in Kabul
Pictured to the right: Aisha, an 18 year old girl from afghanistan who was being forced into marriage, but in attempt to flee from her in laws she was captured by the Taliban. As a result, her nose and ears were amputated from her face and head.
Human Rights Watch described the discrimination against Afghan women as "life threatening"
Women in Politics United States vs. Afghanistan as of 2012
WORLD CLASSIFICATION
Rank
Country
Lower or single House
Upper House or Senate
Elections
Seats*
Women
% W
Elections
Seats*
Women
% W
37
Afghanistan
9 2010
249
69
27.7%
1 2011
102
28
27.5%
82
United States of America 2
11 2010
430
73
17.0%
11 2010
100
17
17.0%
Womens' Right's Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Fa_fuSxOyMThe Role of Sanaubar
Extremely beautiful
Confident in looks, tempted men
Left a week after Hassan’s birth with traveling singers and dancers
When left, time of increased freedoms for women
When returns, badly hurt because women’s rights dramatically changed
Told from male’s perspective, critical of women
Offers insight on women
Women's Progression: Tahmina Kohistani
http://video.today.msnbc.msn.com/today/48299491#48299491Interesting Videos
- TIME Magazine - Portraits of the Women of Afghanistan, displays the images and stories of women who have been subject to Taliban violence
- An interview from NPR speaking to women activists fighting for women's rights in Afghanistan
Key Points
Beginning with Zahir Shah's rule, Afghan women began to gradually gain rights in politics, education, employment, and socially until the Taliban Invasion.
The Taliban’s interpretation of Afghanistan’s laws and Quran, resulted in women being treated brutally and eliminated their rights.
In modern day Afghanistan. more women are beginning to campaign for equal rights and the burtal treatment of women has slightly decreased since when the Taliban was in control.
Sources
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/women-war-and-peace/uncategorized/timeline-of-womens-rights-in-afghanistan/http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wideangle/episodes/flying-down-to-kabul/women-in-afghanistan/introduction/2199/
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/08/19/afghan.untold/index.html
http://www.historyandtheheadlines.abc-clio.com/ContentPages/ContentPage.aspx?entryId=1193923¤tSection=1190138&productid=8
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,185651,00.html
http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/6185.htm
http://www.rawa.org/rawa.html
http://www.afghanrelief.org/
http://afghanistan.quaker.org/AidOrgs.htm#afghan (links to several Afghanistan Relief Organizations, focusing on women)
http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/6186.htm
http://www.ips.org.pk/pakistan-and-its-neighbours/1016-afghan-women-the-state-of-legal-rights-and-security-.html
http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/6185.htm
http://www.ipu.org/wmn-e/classif.htm
http://www.onelawforall.org.uk/resourcePage/leaflet1.pdf
http://www.islamswomen.com/articles/women_in_quran_and_sunnah.php